USA HOCKEY COACH OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to Coach Chuck on being named Coach of the Month by USA Hockey Magazine!! The below article appears in the September issue.

USA Hockey Coach of the Month - Chuck Leonard

Age: 47 Middlebury, Conn.

Chuck Leonard has a hand in everything that’s going on in the Watertown Youth Hockey Association. As the master scheduler at the Taft School ice rink, he coordinates practice ice times and game slots across the organization, where he also serves as vice president.

The Level 4 coach spent the last season coaching three teams, including two thathis daughter, Allison, plays on.

Whether it’s with subbing in as a coach, opening the rink and cleaning it after a tournament or filling in as a referee, Leonard is willing to do it all.

He began coaching over three decades ago, when as a high school senior he and a couple of friends coached a Ridgefield youth house league team. He’s stuck with it since, while working as a full-time surveyor.

Leonard tries his best to make sure every member on the team is having fun, prompting his players to ‘work hard and have fun, a mantra he embodies year after year.

“It’s just so much fun. The kids are great,” he said. “Overall I’ve had a lot of really good experiences while coaching.”

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